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Community health initiatives are concerned with improvement of community’s oral
health; integrate new or enhanced oral health programmes into existing public health
programmes. Good community health initiatives strongly emphasize prevention, early
intervention, rehabilitation and education, in addition to direct care.
The community health initiatives are important because oral health is not only important
to appearance and sense of well-being but also to overall health. This implies need
for elimination of oral health disparities through initiatives in order to improve
quality of life. Initiatives involve opportunities for individuals, communities
and the health professionals to work together to maintain and improve the nation’s
oral health.
IDA’s role
IDA views the oral health initiatives as essential not only for good overall health
but also freedom from the pain and suffering associated with oral health problems.
The association realizes that oral health also affects self-esteem, quality of life
and performance at school and at work. IDA’s oral health initiatives are humanitarian
initiatives that raise and disburse additional efforts for strengthening oral health
systems through the following initiatives.
IDA views the oral health initiatives as essential not only for good overall health
but also freedom from the pain and suffering associated with oral health problems.
The association realizes that oral health also affects self-esteem, quality of life
and performance at school and at work. IDA’s oral health initiatives are humanitarian
initiatives that raise and disburse additional efforts for strengthening oral health
systems through the following initiatives. |
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IDA Oral Cancer Foundation
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Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF) is a professionally-led “call to action” to eradicate
oral cancer, strive for a ‘cancer free-India’ and thus improve the oral health of
Indians by 2020. The detrimental effects of smoking and consumption of smokeless
or chewing tobacco as carcinogenic agents are recognised world over. It affects
the lives of billions of persons, posing an enormous public health challenge in
its complexity, scale and impact, both at an individual and nation-wide level. Oral
cancer is the most common cancer in India, as 4 in 10 in all cancer are oral cancers.
Annually 130,000 people succumb to oral cancer, which translates into approximately
14 deaths per hour, states a study.
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The OCF aims to establish a broad alliance of key influencers and policy makers
from research, education, clinical practice, public health, government and industry,
partnering in a common goal to effect fundamental change in health systems and individual
behaviour to achieve the 2020 goal.
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S.P.O.T. Centre
Under the aegis of OCF, IDA launched the ‘S.P.O.T Centers Detection Initiative’
that offers a certification programme for the dental professionals for knowledge
and skill enhancement. Further the dental professionals will be facilitated to set
up oral cancer detection centre - ‘S.P.O.T Centre’ which aims to promote early detection
and intervention thereby reducing the incidence burden of oral cancer in the country.
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- The S.P.O.T Centre should have all equipment required for detection of cancer.
- Institutions/Hospitals should provide comprehensive cancer treatment services.
- The S.P.O.T Centre helps in spreading awareness among the community and health personnel
regarding common oral cancers and their early detection/prevention.
- The S.P.O.T Centre will undertake training of health workers in cancer detection
and further treatment.
- The S.P.O.T Centre will provide patient data in order to facilitate research activities
in the prevention and treatment of oral cancer.
- The S.P.O.T Centre will have to undergo periodic monitoring and evaluation to ensure
optimum functioning according to the IDA standards.
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Tobacco Intervention Initiative
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The Tobacco Intervention Initiative (TII) is a professionally-led ‘call to action’
to eradicate tobacco addiction, strive for a ‘tobacco free India' and thus improve
the oral health of Indians by the year 2020. Tobacco smoking and consumption of
smokeless or chewing tobacco affects the lives of billions of persons as nicotine
is more addictive than heroine, morphine and cocaine. It poses an enormous public
health challenge in its complexity, scale and impact, both at an individual and
nation-wide level. A study states that about 2,000 deaths a day in India are tobacco
related. The most common cancers are tobacco related cancers - around 3,00,000 cases
each year.
TII aims to establish a broad alliance of key influencers and policy makers from
research, education, clinical practice, public health, government and industry,
partnering in a common goal to effect fundamental change in health systems and individual
behaviour to achieve the 2020 goal.
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Under this venture the dental professionals would be trained and certified for tobacco
intervention and dental clinics are henceforth called certified Tobacco Intervention
Centre (TII) centres. A TII centre is where the dentist not just takes care of your
teeth but also is in a position to help you to get over your tobacco addiction as
the clinic is equipped with the necessary supportive infrastructure required for
de- addiction with facility for counselling and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
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Child Dental Foundation
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(CDF) is a professionally-led “call to action” to eradicate tooth decay and strives
for a ‘caries free-India’ and thus improve the oral health of children by 2020.
India is the youngest country in the world, with a child population of 440 million
and another 26 million being added every year. Studies indicate that 70% children
under 15 years have gum diseases and dental decay and 40% suffer from malocclusion.
Since `prevention is better than cure’, we at CDF believe that it is necessary to
inculcate good oral habits right from childhood. Therefore a knowledge imparted
at the right age on a regular basis in a credible manner can go a long way in encouraging
children to maintain good oral hygiene for a life time. The result is a healthy
India on having a positive relationship of trust and confidence with the dental
fraternity. Oral health is an essential element of general health and quality of
life through an individual's life-course. Therefore oral health promotion initiatives
should be designed and implemented with due consideration to follow-ups as evidence
supports the link between dental health, overall child health and quality of life.
CDF aims to establish a broad alliance of key influencers and policy makers from research, education, clinical practice, public health, government and industry, partnering in a common goal to effect fundamental change in health systems and individual behaviour to achieve the 2020 goal.
Child Dental Centres
Child Dental Centre are network of connected CDF certified clinics, vital pipelines
that carry out CDF’s mission to control, prevent and eradicate tooth decay by early
caries detection. These clinics are run by dental professionals trained to detect
decay, impart advice on preventing injuries, information about growth and development
of teeth and give counselling to high risk children.
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First Smiles Initiative \ Caring 4 carries Initiative
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IDA’s First Smiles Initiative addresses the `silent epidemic’ of early childhood
caries affecting children ages 0-5. It is the most prevalent chronic disease of
early childhood and a major cause of school absenteeism. The education and training
will consist of the newest scientific information on dental disease prevention in
children, prenatal to 5 years, including those with disabilities and other special
needs.
IDA is dedicated to providing education and training for dental, medical and early
childhood educators, as well as education to parents of young children, including
those with disabilities and other special needs, on the prevention of ECC. Untreated
tooth decay can cause pain and infection that can lead to problems with nutrition,
growth, school readiness, and speech problems.
There are three target audiences: Dental professionals (non-specialty dentists,
assistants, and dental students); medical professionals (paediatricians, general
physicians, OB/GYNs, nurse) who work with young children and medical residents.
In addition, there is focus on public, which will consist of educational programmes
for parents and caregivers.
Under the IDA’s initiative dentists are taught to provide an oral health assessment
for babies and young children. Impart anticipatory guidance for parents on issues
such as weaning, frequency of snacking, self-assessment at home and use of fluoride
toothpaste for daily brushing. Evaluate the need for systemic and topical fluoride
supplementation and anti-bacterials like xylitol and chlorhexidine. Provide a fluoride
varnish treatment when appropriate, as fluoride can prevent and arrest early tooth
decay.
Besides this IDA feels the need to educate parents on oral health issues such as
the importance of primary teeth, first dental visit by first birthday, transmissible
nature of cavity-causing bacteria, weaning, frequency of snacking, self- assessment
at home, and use of fluoride toothpaste for daily brushing for the entire family.
Educate children about proper oral hygiene, importance of dental check- up, teeth,
avoid cavities and keep teeth strong. Recognize signs of early childhood caries
and reference to dentists.
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Brush Up Challenge
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Brush Up Challenge is an IDA initiative to inculcate and promote the value of brushing
as IDA realizes that dental cleaning is a very critical but often ignored aspect
of daily living. Barely 6% of children between age bracket 6-11 years brush their
teeth regularly. Brushing habits have not been inculcated in rural areas. Most share
the tooth brush, use a finger or herbal twigs and cannot afford paste instead use
alternatives like black tooth powder, mud, tobacco preparations, herbal twigs, etc.
Even those who use toothbrush and toothpaste are not aware of the right techniques
to clean teeth. |
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The initiative Brush Up Challenge is aimed at boosting and spreading greater awareness
about oral health in India, while teaching school children the right technique to
brush.
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A Guinness World Record was created in 2007 during a Brush Up Challenge organised
by IDA for ‘most people brushing their teeth (multiple venue).’ A record number
of 177,003 people brushed their teeth simultaneously at 380 locations across India,
in one day, at one time. This initiative was undertaken during Oral Health Month
(OHM) in association with Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited.
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A new world record was again created on October 9, 2007 when over 5,000 children
from 7 schools assembled and simultaneously brushed their teeth in New Delhi. Bollywood
superstar Saif Ali Khan graced the event as the chief guest of the function. Dental
health packs were provided to each student taking part in the attempt, which included
a toothbrush, toothpaste, bottled water and a suitable container for rinsing.
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Dental Wellness Initiative
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Dental Wellness Initiative focuses on the dental well being of the Indian population.
It is necessary to know the prevalence of oral health problems and to understand
the practices related to dental health that people follow. Oral health is a very
important component of the general health of the people. High prevalence of diseases
like dental caries, periodontal diseases and various stages of malocclusion and
lack of access to medical facilities leads to absenteeism and economic loss.
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Information is basic for the formulation of oral health policies and implementation
of appropriate programmes to improve dental wellness, awareness and knowledge of
people on the preventive aspects of oral health, create needed services and train
the dental manpower to meet those needs. In order to assess the severity of the
oral health problems and review the oral health needs All India Oral Health Survey
(AIOHS) was organized and conducted. The aim was to make a significant and quantifiable
difference to the overall dental health of the nation.
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Dental Wellness Initiative resolves dental health problems, creates awareness about
oral hygiene practices, eating habits, certain abnormal oral habits like thumb sucking,
breathing through mouth, biting of teeth during moments of stress, etc., habits
relating to tobacco and alcohol and the pattern of practices for dental treatment.
relates to an oral and periodontal examination covered aspects like temporomandibular
joint assessment, enamel opacities, dentition status and treatment need, prosthetic
status, dentofacial anomalies, need for immediate care and referral, etc.
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Live. Learn. Laugh. Programme
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Live. Learn. Laugh. Initiative drives for behavioural change by inculcating good
oral habits and night brushing in children under IDA’s `brush day & night’ campaign.
In India, people most people believe that brushing in the morning is enough. But,
germs build-up during day which leads to decay if the teeth have not been brushed
at night. Therefore, the importance of brushing at night was highlighted among children.
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Live. Learn. Laugh. – the FDI World Dental Federation and Unilever Oral Care partnership
aims at increasing oral health education and promotion in countries. The partnership
enables participating National Dental Associations (NDAs) to implement oral health
projects locally. Under the project low-income families receive oral health education
on importance of `tooth-brushing day & night’ and free dental screenings as many
do not have access to dentist on a regular basis. This partnership has been made
possible thanks to the deeply held conviction of both the organizations that good
oral care is a building block for health and well-being --- and that improved oral
care begins at the grassroots level.
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Live. Learn. Laugh. programme is a powerful example of vitality in action where:
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Live: Liberating people from oral health problems to give them freedom to
live and enjoy life.
Learn: Educating people about how to look after and improve their own oral
health.
Laugh: Making people healthier and happier, free to enjoy life and embrace
laughter.
The initiative was started in tribal and rural areas of Chhatisgarh, Madhaya Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu. The idea behind selecting these two states was that Madhaya Pradesh
and Chhatisgarh has a large population in rural areas. Low-income families received
oral health education on importance of `tooth-brushing day & night’ and free dental
screenings as many do not have access to dentist on a regular basis. `Brush day
& night’ campaign focuses on twice brushing and ultimately contribute to healthy
teeth and mouths. A free visual check-up to identify any trouble spots in the mouth
was delivered by IDA professionals in mobile dental vans. Free samples of toothpastes
and tooth brushes were given by Pepsodent, oral health cards and stickers were also
distributed.
Puppets were used to educate children and their parents about the importance of
a healthy mouth, Simple skit and song along with audio- visual presentations have
a lasting impression on the young minds and thus provide better results. Around
80% children in India have dental caries and IDA acknowledges that oral health is
a fundamental part of general health and well being. Oral diseases have even been
linked to a range of serious conditions including cardiovascular disease, stroke
and bacterial pneumonia. This commitment, IDA brings to life by being the voice
for oral health, delivering excellence in oral health policy and promotion, continuing
professional education and access to care.
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Oral Health Month Initiative
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Oral Health Month (OHM) Initiative aims to improve oral health awareness and for
this IDA has earmarked two months dedicated to spreading the message and importance
of regular oral examinations by a dentist and good oral hygiene. IDA promotes OHM
through various media and advertising initiatives. The need for optimal oral health
was realized by IDA as 95% adults suffer from gum disease and increase awareness
as 50% Indian don't use tooth brush and only 2% visit the dentist for check-ups.
IDA believes in preventive care as 70% children under 15 years have dental caries
and 40% children suffer from malocclusion. The aim is for Zero Tooth Decay and is
expected to reach out to more than 1,000 towns and cities. To spread 'Healthy Smiles',
IDA and Colgate have joined hands to propagate good oral care habits and practices
through oral care education and dental health checkups. Special education fest carnivals,
on- pack oral care messages and television advertising have been created to support
the campaign. Dentists participating in OHM offer free dental check- ups and educate
people on the importance of good oral hygiene. In addition there are mobile vans
for conducting dental check-ups in underprivileged areas across major cities and
dental camps in schools spread across the country. During OHMs information on the
right way of brushing and timely dental checkups is disseminated.
The theme of the OHM’s focuses on the hidden threats to oral health, such as gum
disease, root cavities and infections and oral cancer. Left unchecked, these threats
can lead to severe pain, loss of teeth and serious health implications.
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Mumbai Smiles
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Mumbai Smiles is an initiative of IDA and Wrigley's Orbit sugar free chewing to conduct free dental check-ups to raise awareness about the importance of oral health and provide oral health education that a healthy mouth is much more than a great smile. Regular brushing and flossing, a healthy diet and visits to your dentist contribute to a lifetime of talking, eating and smiling.
This 24-hour free dental check-up held in October 2009, had been designed keeping in mind the oral care requirements of citizens who have limited access to dental care. As prevention professionals, dental hygienists help maintain healthy teeth and gums and provide important information on the links between oral health and your total well-being.
The theme of Mumbai Smiles is further reinforced by the Indian government’s ambitious plan of ‘Oral Health for All by 2020.
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